Number 1
16 years ago
10 months ago
3,650
Our forward play has been really lethargic throughout.
King Luis
17 years ago
1 month ago
3,111
Chelseas team today is bang average, mental for a team that are defending champions.
chokosc
14 years ago
4 days ago
1,041
Chelseas team today is bang average, mental for a team that are defending champions.

Yeah, don't understand why we aren't strengthening what we are lacking.

Newcastle are terrible as well!
Number 1
16 years ago
10 months ago
3,650
Hmmmm... like last week, did alright without threatening in the first half and fell to shit straight after half-time and didn't look like recovering. Which was understandable in the context of Shelvey's idiocy last week, but less so in this one.

Gonna be a bit of a chore of a season I fear.
DNZY
15 years ago
3 weeks ago
1,882
Premium
Too late to stick a tenner on Huddersfield winning the Premier League?
Shola
15 years ago
5 years ago
2,708
Hmmmm... like last week, did alright without threatening in the first half and fell to shit straight after half-time and didn't look like recovering. Which was understandable in the context of Shelvey's idiocy last week, but less so in this one.

Gonna be a bit of a chore of a season I fear.


It's because of the excuses - we won't learn. Last week became all about Shelvey - and the underlying questions weren't even contemplated - today it seems to be all about blaming the ref.

Rather than what is Benitez' actual hope for this team. Gayle isn't involved - Ritchie doesn't support, Atsu looks no where near a consistent threat at this level. Huddersfield were bad and completely deserved the win. This week it will be all about Ashley's lack of transfers again - but it seems Benitez has spent £38m and hasn't really improved the side (with the exception of Lejeune) at all.
Sam
17 years ago
1 year ago
5,092
Chelsea have been parking the bus most of this match. Not just Jose then.
bmg033
10 years ago
4 months ago
2,268
I really don't understand why we're so crap at Wembley. Oh well only 36 more away games to go.
Based Jorge
10 years ago
3 years ago
1,399
I really don't understand why we're so crap at Wembley. Oh well only 36 more away games to go.


The pitch is too big for constant pressing
terriersmad
16 years ago
3 years ago
744
That we were poor and thoroughly deserved the points underlines just how awful Newcastle were as an attacking force. They seem to be a side who get organised defensively, but then don't do any work in the week on actually scoring goals, relying on individuals doing stuff rather than having an actual plan. Then fall over, whinge a lot, fling themselves into poor tackles and complain when things don't go their way (I can think of an overrated one-footed diminutive Scotsman who fits the description perfectly). We won't get an easier three points this season - if we'd actually been at the races, we'd have taken them to pieces. As it was, we imposed our identity on one passage of play and scored an utterly glorious goal. 14 passes, 9 men involved, quick change of pace at the end and a sumptuous finish.
terriersmad
16 years ago
3 years ago
744
The pitch is too big for constant pressing

Myth. Premier League pitches have been standardised this season. We've been told to shorten our pitch and narrow it to a set length and width, and the grass has to be cut to 22mm and no longer.
bmg033
10 years ago
4 months ago
2,268
The pitch is too big for constant pressing

That shouldn't mean we struggle to beat anyone though, it's not like we've got a crap squad that can't play.
Based Jorge
10 years ago
3 years ago
1,399
Myth. Premier League pitches have been standardised this season. We've been told to shorten our pitch and narrow it to a set length and width, and the grass has to be cut to 22mm and no longer.


Spurs asked to make the pitch smaller at Wembley and it was denied
King Luis
17 years ago
1 month ago
3,111
Spurs asked to make the pitch smaller at Wembley and it was denied


Yup, plus WHL's pitch was smaller because they didn't have the space to make it a standard size
terriersmad
16 years ago
3 years ago
744
I have to say standardised pitches are bollocks. One of the great beauties of the game has always been that you could shift the dimensions of your home patch to suit your own style of play. Stoke, for example, having a narrow pitch when Rory Delap was flinging long throws into the danger area, or Arsenal having a vast, lush carpet conducive to expansive passing football. It robs some of the home advantage and means the visiting team will always be comfortable. It emphasises uniformity over the vast differences that makes football such an engaging sport with clashes of styles, sub-narratives, talk of adapting. There's more skill involved winning a title when you have to play on 20 different pitches, rather than the same one just at different stadiums.
Shola
15 years ago
5 years ago
2,708
That we were poor and thoroughly deserved the points underlines just how awful Newcastle were as an attacking force. They seem to be a side who get organised defensively, but then don't do any work in the week on actually scoring goals, relying on individuals doing stuff rather than having an actual plan. Then fall over, whinge a lot, fling themselves into poor tackles and complain when things don't go their way (I can think of an overrated one-footed diminutive Scotsman who fits the description perfectly). We won't get an easier three points this season - if we'd actually been at the races, we'd have taken them to pieces. As it was, we imposed our identity on one passage of play and scored an utterly glorious goal. 14 passes, 9 men involved, quick change of pace at the end and a sumptuous finish.


We're also bad defensively as well tbf - Huddersfield are just shite going forward. Not blaming the ref but let's not pretend you wouldn't have demanded Kachunga, Smith and Mounie all should have bent sent off. You're keeper is an absolutely wanker as well - He was absolutely pathetic trying to get Joselu sent off.

Also Huddersfield don't have an identity ffs. - You looked bad going forward - and bad at the back. - The goal would never have happened if Merino and Hayden didn't combine to make the world worst Premier League central midfield pairing.
Number 1
16 years ago
10 months ago
3,650
Don't think Merino-Hayden has even been the worst CM pairing Newcastle have put in the PL, let alone worst ever, although in truth it didn't play very well either (Merino wasn't awful, but still gets some marks taken off for letting Mooy get away before the winner). Diame coming on and passing straight to the ref was a definite downgrade further, mind.

It was a bit of a shit game all round, decided by the only real moment of quality and some inattentive marking. I think our bigger problem was going forward - just so lethargic for a counter-based strategy, when compared with the more streetwise and pacy feel to the tactics used when we won at Huddersfield in March.
Shola
15 years ago
5 years ago
2,708
Warching the goal again - and it was really awful - incredibly unorganised.

Huddersfield only really have two men above the ball - both CB's have then went super wide - so we have four defenders marking two forwards - Ince (?) Then has a massive gap to run into - Hayden completely lets him go.

Merino is then standing there completely fecklessly meaning Manquillo has to pressure the ball - creating a big space - Merino then also goes but then doesn't track back. - Mooy then has a yard.

Huddersfield only have three men forward - we have eight back. they still managed to play through and score. - Even more worrying is the body language - We look like a team on a 20 game losing streak - who knew it was only a matter of time before they score - and we have no chance of getting back into the game,
terriersmad
16 years ago
3 years ago
744
We're also bad defensively as well tbf - Huddersfield are just shite going forward. Not blaming the ref but let's not pretend you wouldn't have demanded Kachunga, Smith and Mounie all should have bent sent off. You're keeper is an absolutely wanker as well - He was absolutely pathetic trying to get Joselu sent off.

Also Huddersfield don't have an identity ffs. - You looked bad going forward - and bad at the back. - The goal would never have happened if Merino and Hayden didn't combine to make the world worst Premier League central midfield pairing.

No, you're not bad defensively. You switched off and were punished by a quality bit of play. There's a difference between being poor defensively and a momentary loss of concentration. Neither are we poor going forward - you sat so deep that the usual interplay of our front four was completely negated. There was simply no room to run in with eight/nine men consistently behind the ball.

Kachunga - should have been booked. No denial there. Red would have been very harsh. Mbemba put his head down and the ball was there to be won. If you watch it, the ball was won by Kachunga's toe. No intent either. Had his leg been straight or contact more severe than a very slight glancing blow, there's more of an argument. I suppose Robson-Kanu's red was upheld by the FA, and there's some argument in saying they're similar, but I'm of the view that the Robson-Kanu red was very, very harsh.

Smith - booking. There didn't look to be a huge difference between this and Ritchie's tackle in the first half. Had Smith made contact then again, might have been different, but certainly a booking.

Mounié - come off it. Only card there was for dangerous play by Perez who launched himself in. Dare I say it, had there been something in it it would have been shown on Match of the Day 2 and the national newspapers would have made comment. I also dare say a charge would have been in the offing by now. Clutching at straws to justify outrage at Shelvey being sent off.

Joselu - booking all day long. He left a foot in and caught Lössl. Not sure why you're criticising the opponent when he was endangered by a poor tackle from your man, who didn't need to leave a foot in with the ball gone. I've been on the end of those. They sting like mad for a few moments.

Pawson was very inconsistent. I have no idea why Palmer was booked when his attempted block on Lascelles missed the man by a small postcode district. I also don't know why Lascelles was booked (and I have seen that again - it's a foul, but it's not like he led with an arm, it's just a natural movement that catches Mounié, absolutely nothing in it). I also don't know why Gayle wasn't carded for his first half dive.

But after last season, Newcastle really can't complain against officials against us. Three game-changing decisions across the two games were all given to Newcastle incorrectly. It probably cost us a tilt at automatic promotion after the March game. All the decisions were clearly wrong, and not borderline like those in the weekend's clash.

The big reason the game was of poor quality was Benitez. He set up to sit and nullify, dropping men deep behind the ball. When that happens, teams tend to slow up the tempo and look like less of an attacking threat. If you'd set up to attack more, the game would be of a higher quality as players found space in attacking areas more. Unfortunately, the problem isn't that your players aren't good enough - it's simply that your manager isn't brave enough. He's too used to playing that way with genuinely top quality players in attacking areas and can't come up with a plan of attack with players who, on an individual basis, are among the lesser lights. Yet he seems immune from criticism. His comments about not being ready for the season were nothing short of ridiculous. He's the manager. He's the one responsible for getting what he's got ready. If the team isn't ready, it's his fault. He's had a pre-season to sort out the personnel he has and get organised. It isn't the chairman's fault that the team doesn't have an attacking plan. Might be his there isn't the money there for a £15m striker to lead the line (rather than the £12m model deemed 'not good enough', but blame for style of play and results must fall on Benitez. If he's a world-class coach, he has to prove it by coaching what he's got. If he isn't, he should go.
Shola
15 years ago
5 years ago
2,708
We are bad defensively tbf.

Also note I said you would be complaining - not that I (or a reasonable person) would be. fwiw - I thought the Mounie one was a complete accident, Smith should have probably been booker - as that could have been very nasty if Mbemba didn't get out the way - and Kachunga should be given the benefit of the doubt - although Mbemba was bleeding from getting studded in the face. But howay - you're keeper was trying to deceive the ref in a bad way - Joselu completely went for the ball.

Also yeah Gayle should have been booked for diving - he Ritchie, Mitrovic and Shelvey are all prone to diving. Don't think any are as bad as Kachunga mind.

Also do them three game changing decisions include Kachunga diving for a penalty, or the guy fouling Mbemba in the build to the winner?

Agree completely about Benitez btw.


Anyway 3 from Brighton, Newcastle, Huddersfield, Palace and Swansea for me Clive,

Amazing that Burnley, Bournemouth (who look awful) and West Ham (with yer Dad as DoF) are 'safe' in my mind already is worrying.
desktoplay
6 years ago
6 years ago
2
Banned
terriersmad
16 years ago
3 years ago
744
We are bad defensively tbf.

Also note I said you would be complaining - not that I (or a reasonable person) would be. fwiw - I thought the Mounie one was a complete accident, Smith should have probably been booker - as that could have been very nasty if Mbemba didn't get out the way - and Kachunga should be given the benefit of the doubt - although Mbemba was bleeding from getting studded in the face. But howay - you're keeper was trying to deceive the ref in a bad way - Joselu completely went for the ball.

Also yeah Gayle should have been booked for diving - he Ritchie, Mitrovic and Shelvey are all prone to diving. Don't think any are as bad as Kachunga mind.

Also do them three game changing decisions include Kachunga diving for a penalty, or the guy fouling Mbemba in the build to the winner?

Agree completely about Benitez btw.


Anyway 3 from Brighton, Newcastle, Huddersfield, Palace and Swansea for me Clive,

Amazing that Burnley, Bournemouth (who look awful) and West Ham (with yer Dad as DoF) are 'safe' in my mind already is worrying.

Other than the fact that Shelvey gave Kachunga a good push in the back - Kachunga made the most of it, but he was entitled to go down. Palmer on Mbemba - seen them given. Nothing like as clear-cut wrong as the penalty that day, or the penalty you got at ours - and neither of those comes close to the foul on Ward inexplicably not given.

Anyway, that was all last season. Chill your beans and enjoy the Premier League. 36 games to go.
Number 1
16 years ago
10 months ago
3,650
Chill your beans and enjoy the Premier League. 36 games to go.

Roll on the international break.
King Luis
17 years ago
1 month ago
3,111
Absolute worldy from Daniels
VP.
13 years ago
1 week ago
25,271
Goal of the season surely.
King Luis
17 years ago
1 month ago
3,111
Only thing that would have made it better is if it hit the post as well before it went in
VP.
13 years ago
1 week ago
25,271
Only thing that would have made it better is if it hit the post as well before it went in


Not quite as good as this one but it did remind me of it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhVDFEW5348
King Luis
17 years ago
1 month ago
3,111
Wow, think Ake's got away with one there
VP.
13 years ago
1 week ago
25,271
Gonna lose 6-1 now ffs.
VP.
13 years ago
1 week ago
25,271
Wow, think Ake's got away with one there


Yeah seen it now, I'm a bit behind as watching on my mobile at work.

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